If you are vegan or vegetarian, this post is not for you.
Nothing is better than digging into a mouthwatering, golden brown piece of meat. If you are a true meat lover, you may add meat to breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Whether it’s sausage, turkey, pork, beef, chicken, or lamb, the options for meat are endless.
If you are looking for more recipes to try during your barbeque or weekly dinner, you've come to the right place. Adding sauerkraut to your ingredient list can not only level up the flavor but can bring added health benefits too.
Here are a few of Cleveland Kitchen’s favorite sauerkraut recipes for meat lovers.
What is Sauerkraut anyways?
Before we dive in, here is a quick 101 course in sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut is salted and shredded cabbage that goes through a fermentation process. This process is done in a relatively high-temperature environment for about 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, a lactic acid bacteria develops and turns the cabbage into sauerkraut.
This natural bacteria produces more acid and flavor into the sauerkraut, generating a distinct tanginess.
What makes sauerkraut even better is its health benefits:
Great Source Of Nutrients
Sauerkraut contains Dietary Fiber, Iron, Vitamin C, and Potassium. These essential vitamins and nutrients allow your body to be protected and full of energy. Now, who would not want that?
Rich In Probiotics
Probiotics are a healthy form of bacteria. They not only protect your immune system but help your bodily functions run efficiently. Lucky for you, due to sauerkraut’s fermentation process, it is packed with probiotics.
Sauerkraut Recipes With Meat
Now that you know how amazing sauerkraut is, let’s get cooking!
Classic Reuben
Looking for a tasty sandwich? Then, our take on the Classic Reuben recipe is just what you need.
By combining corned beef, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing between two slices of golden brown marbled rye bread, you can have a mouthwatering meal that’s jam-packed with flavor!
What makes this sandwich so special is our Whiskey Dill Kraut. This spirited kraut offers notes of fresh garlic and dill with barrel-aged whiskey that adds a subtle sweetness. To make things better, its non-alcoholic ferment will add a delicious crunch to your Classic Reuben.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices marbled rye bread
- 2 tbsp. butter or olive oil
- 1/4 c. Thousand Island dressing
- 4 slices corned beef, thin
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/4 c. Whiskey Dill Kraut
How To
- Butter one side of each slice of marbled rye bread and place butter-side down on a skillet preheated over medium-high heat.
- Add ingredients in the following order: 1 slice swiss cheese, 2 slices corned beef, 2 tbsp of Thousand Island dressing, 2 slices corned beef, Whiskey Dill Kraut, and Swiss cheese. Crown the sandwich with the remaining slice of rye, buttered side up.
- Heat the sandwich for ~3 minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Transfer to a plate, slice in half, and serve while still gooey. Napkins are recommended.
Beer-Braised Sausages and Classic Sauerkraut
Sausages are great on their own, but sauerkraut and sausages are a divine meal fit for someone incredible (like you.)
This recipe combines smoked/fresh sausages, lager beer, and smoked bacon with sliced onions, carrots, and potatoes.
You cannot make a delicious, fermented meal without the perfect finishing touch: our Classic Caraway Kraut. This sauerkraut takes traditional Bavarian flavors and combines them with a fresh crunch and robust taste.
This beautiful meal is able to serve one or more people. So, feel free to invite friends or family over to dig in!
Ingredients
- 4 cups Classic Caraway Kraut
- 1/2 lb smoked bacon
- 2 medium-large onions sliced thin
- 3 medium carrots cut crosswise into 1/4-inch -thick slices
- 4 medium potatoes sliced thick
- 3 cups Lager beer
- 10-12 assorted smoked and precooked fresh sausages
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 3 Bay leaves
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Whole black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil if desired
How To
- Set your pressure cooker crockpot to Brown/Sear.
- Cook bacon pieces over moderate heat, stirring, until golden.
- Add onions. Cook mixture, stirring, until onions are softened.
- Combine with bacon mixture, carrots, potatoes, beer, broth, bay leaves, salt, and peppercorns. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the Classic Caraway Kraut. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 60 min.
- Brown the sausages in a nonstick pan.
- Once the mixture is fully cooked, place 1-2 brats on each plate.
- Enjoy the taste and aroma of your meal!
It’s Time To Start Cooking
We rounded up two recipes highlighting the meat and sauerkraut power duo, but why stop there? We are constantly creating new recipes for Cleveland Kitchen products.
To learn more about Cleveland Kitchen’s mission to bring fermented foods to the American diet, keep up with our weekly blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated with our world of fermented foods!